Ink composition, ink cartridge, recording method, and recorded product

ABSTRACT

An ink composition comprising: a betaine-based surfactant represented by the following general formula (1) and a linear saturated aliphatic alcohol having a hydroxyl value of 1 to 2 and 4 to 6 carbon atoms: 
     [C 1]
 
(R) p —N-[L-(COOM) q ] r   Formula (1)
 
(wherein, R represents a hydrogen atom, alkyl group, aryl group or heterocyclic group, L represents a divalent or more linking group, M represents a hydrogen atom, alkaline metal atom, ammonium group, protonated organic amine or nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group or quaternary ammonium ion group, or represents a group that does not exist as a cation in the case of being a counter ion of an ammonium ion formed of an N atom in formula (1), q represents an integer of 1 or more, r represents an integer of 1 to 4, p represents an integer of 0 to 4, p+r is 3 or 4, N is a nitrogen atom that composes a quaternary amine in the case p+r is 4, R may be the same or different when p is 2 or more, COOM may be the same or different when q is 2 or more, and L-(COOM) q  may be the same or different when r is 2 or more).

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-133576,filed on May 12, 2006 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-309422,filed on Nov. 15, 2006, is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to an ink composition and a recordingmethod and recorded article using the same, and more particularly, to anink composition having little foaming and satisfactory defoamingproperties, and therefore having superior reliability (such as cloggingrecoverability and discharge stability), while enabling attractive colordevelopment as well as having superior image durability (such as lightresistance and moisture resistance) and being able to maintain printerperformance for a long period of time, an ink jet recording method thatuses an ink composition having these properties, and a recorded articleobtained with that recording method that maintains a state of attractivecolor development for a long period of time.

2. Related Art

The ink jet recording method is a printing method whereby printing iscarried out by projecting droplets of ink and causing them to adhere toa recording medium such as paper. Improvement of printing quality andstorage of printed articles has been proposed by using for the ink acolorant in the form of a pigment or dye as a composition used togetherwith a surfactant and resin fine particles.

However, since the use of such a surfactant causes the ink to have highfoaming and low defoaming properties due to the properties thereof, inkcompositions containing a surfactant had the problem of lackingreliability in terms of discharge stability, clogging recoverability andthe like (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2004-315739).Therefore, there has been a need for a technology that inhibits foamingand improves defoaming properties for ink compositions containing asurfactant.

On the other hand, studies have also been conducted on the use of adiverse range of surfactants (such as betaine-based surfactants) andresin fine particles in response to a growing demand for higher printingquality and greater stability of printed articles being placed on inkjet printers in recent years (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-openNo. 2005-187790).

SUMMARY

With the foregoing in view, an object of the present invention is toprovide an ink composition having little foaming and satisfactorydefoaming properties, while also having superior printing stability andenabling attractive color development, an ink jet recording method thatuses an ink composition having such properties, and a recorded articlehaving high image quality obtained with that recording method.

In addition, with the foregoing in view, an object of the presentinvention is to provide an ink composition having little foaming andsatisfactory defoaming properties, superior printing stability, andenabling high image durability and attractive color development, an inkjet recording method that uses an ink composition having suchproperties, and a recorded article having high image quality obtainedwith that recording method.

As a result of conducting extensive studies to solve the above-mentionedproblems, the inventors of the present invention obtained the findingthat (i) an ink composition at least containing a specific betaine-basedsurfactant and a specific alcohol demonstrates the effects ofdramatically improving foaming and defoaming properties.

Next, as a result of conducting further studies on the basis of thisfinding, the inventors of the present invention found that (ii) adequatedischarge stability can be secured by using a specific compound for thedefoaming agent and optimizing the ratio of each incorporated in the inkcomposition.

In addition, the finding was obtained that an ink composition containinga specific magenta dye and a specific betaine-based surfactant has highimage durability, and that effects that dramatically improve foaming anddefoaming properties are demonstrated by containing a specific alcohol.

The present invention provides the following inventions based on thisfinding:

-   [1] an ink composition comprising: a betaine-based surfactant    represented by the following general formula (1) and a linear    saturated aliphatic alcohol having a hydroxyl value of 1 to 2 and 4    to 6 carbon atoms:    [C 1]    (R)_(p)—N-[L-(COOM)_(q)]_(r)  Formula (1)    (wherein, R represents a hydrogen atom, alkyl group, aryl group or    heterocyclic group, L represents a divalent or more linking group, M    represents a hydrogen atom, alkaline metal atom, ammonium group,    protonated organic amine or nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group    or quaternary ammonium ion group, or represents a group that does    not exist as a cation in the case of being a counter ion of an    ammonium ion formed of an N atom in formula (1), q represents an    integer of 1 or more, r represents an integer of 1 to 4, p    represents an integer of 0 to 4, p+r is 3 or 4, N is a nitrogen atom    that composes a quaternary amine in the case p+r is 4, R may be the    same or different when p is 2 or more, COOM may be the same or    different when q is 2 or more, and L-(COOM)_(q) may be the same or    different when r is 2 or more);-   [2] the ink composition described in [1] above, wherein the    betaine-based surfactant represented by formula (1) is a compound    represented by the following formula (1-1):

(wherein, R₁ to R₃ represent an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms,and X represents a divalent linking group);

-   [3] the ink composition described in [1] above, wherein the    betaine-based surfactant represented by formula (1) is a compound    represented by the following formula (1-2):

-   ([4] the ink composition described in [1] above, wherein the content    of the linear saturated aliphatic alcohol having a hydroxyl value of    1 to 2 and 4 to 6 carbon atoms is 0.25 to 5.00% by weight;-   [5] the ink composition described in [1] above, wherein the ratio of    the content of the linear saturated aliphatic alcohol having a    hydroxyl value of 1 to 2 and 4 to 6 carbon atoms to the content of    the betaine-based surfactant is a weight ratio of 1:3 to 1:0.4;-   [6] the ink composition described in [1] above, wherein the linear    saturated aliphatic alcohol is one or more types selected from the    group consisting of 1-butyl alcohol, 2-butyl alcohol, 1-pentyl    alcohol, 2-pentyl alcohol, 3-pentyl alcohol, 1-hexyl alcohol and    1,2-hexanediol;-   [7] the ink composition described in [1] above, wherein the linear    saturated aliphatic alcohol has 5 or 6 carbon atoms;-   [8] the ink composition described in [7] above, wherein the linear    saturated aliphatic alcohol is at least one type selected from the    group consisting of 1-pentyl alcohol, 2-pentyl alcohol, 3-pentyl    alcohol, 1-hexyl alcohol and 1,2-hexanediol;-   [9] an ink composition comprising a magenta dye represented by the    following general formula (2), a betaine-based surfactant    represented by the following general formula (1), and a linear    saturated aliphatic alcohol having a hydroxyl value of 1 to 2 and 4    to 6 carbon atoms:

(wherein, A represents a residue of a five-member heterocyclic diazocomponent A-NH₂, B¹ and B² respectively represent —CR¹═ or —CR²═ or onerepresents a nitrogen atom and the other represents —CR¹═ or —CR³═, R⁵and R⁶ respectively and independently represent a hydrogen atom,aliphatic group, aromatic group, heterocyclic group, acyl group,alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxycarbonyl group, carbamoyl group,alkylsulfonyl group, arylsulfonyl group or sulfamoyl group, each groupmay further have a substituent, G, R¹ and R² respectively andindependently represent a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, aliphatic group,aromatic group, heterocyclic group, cyano group, carboxyl group,carbamoyl group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxycarbonyl group, acylgroup, hydroxy group, alkoxy group, aryloxy group, silyloxy group,acyloxy group, carbamoyloxy group, heterocyclic oxy group,alkoxycarbonyloxy group, aryloxycarbonyloxy group, amino groupsubstituted with an alkyl group, aryl group or heterocyclic group,acylamino group, ureido group, sulfamoylamino group, alkoxycarbonylaminogroup, aryloxycarbonylamino group, alkyl and arylsulfonylamino group,aryloxycarbonylamino group, nitro group, alkyl and arylthio group, alkyland arylsulfonyl group, alkyl and arylsulfinyl group, sulfamoyl group,sulfo group or heterocyclic thio group, each group may be furthersubstituted, and R¹ and R⁵ or R¹ and R³ may be bonded to form a five- tosix-member ring),[C 1](R)_(p)—N-[L-(COOM)_(q)]_(r)  Formula (1)(wherein, R represents a hydrogen atom, alkyl group, aryl group orheterocyclic group, L represents a divalent or more linking group, Mrepresents a hydrogen atom, alkaline metal atom, ammonium group,protonated organic amine or nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group orquaternary ammonium ion group, or represents a group that does not existas a cation in the case of being a counter ion of an ammonium ion formedof an N atom in formula (1), q represents an integer of 1 or more, rrepresents an integer of 1 to 4, p represents an integer of 0 to 4, p+ris 3 or 4, N is a nitrogen atom that composes a quaternary amine in thecase p+r is 4, R may be the same or different when p is 2 or more, COOMmay be the same or different when q is 2 or more, and L-(COOM)_(q) maybe the same or different when r is 2 or more);

-   [10] the ink composition described in [9] above, wherein the linear    saturated aliphatic alcohol is one or more types selected from the    group consisting of 1-butyl alcohol, 2-butyl alcohol, 2-pentyl    alcohol, 3-pentyl alcohol, 1-hexyl alcohol and 1,2-hexanediol;-   [11] the ink composition described in [9] above, wherein the linear    saturated aliphatic alcohol has 5 or 6 carbon atoms;-   [12] the ink composition described in [9] above, wherein the linear    saturated aliphatic alcohol is one or more types selected from the    group consisting of 2-pentyl alcohol, 3-pentyl alcohol and 1-hexyl    alcohol;-   [13] the ink composition described in [9] above, wherein the content    of the linear saturated aliphatic alcohol having a hydroxyl value of    1 to 2 and 4 to 6 carbon atoms is 0.25 to 3.00% by weight;-   [14] the ink composition described in [9] above, wherein the magenta    dye represented by the formula (2) is a magenta dye represented by    the following general formula (3):

(wherein, R₁₁ and R₁₂ respectively and independently an alkyl group,alkoxy group or halogen atom, the total number of carbon atoms thatcompose the alkyl groups is 3 or more when R₁₁ and R₁₂ are both alkylgroups, these groups may be further substituted, R₁₃, R₁₄ and R₁₅respectively and independently represent a hydrogen atom, halogen atom,aliphatic group, aromatic group, heterocyclic group, cyano group,carboxyl group, carbamoyl group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxycarbonylgroup, acyl group, hydroxy group, alkoxy group, aryloxy group, silyloxygroup, acyloxy group, carbamoyloxy group, heterocyclic oxy group,alkoxycarbonyloxy group, aryloxycarbonyloxy group, alkylamino group,arylamino group, heterocyclic amino group, acylamino group, ureidogroup, sulfamoylamino group, alkoxycarbonylamino group,aryloxycarbonylamino group, alkyl or arylsulfonylamino group,aryloxycarbonylamino group, nitro group, alkyl or arylthio group, alkylor arylsulfonyl group, alkyl or arylsulfinyl group, sulfamoyl group,sulfo group or heterocyclic thio group, each group may be furthersubstituted, R₁₁ and R₁₅ or R₁₂ and R₁₃ may be mutually condensed into aring, X represents a hydrogen atom, aliphatic group, aromatic group orheterocyclic group, Y and Z respectively and independently represent ahydrogen atom, aliphatic group, aromatic group, heterocyclic group, acylgroup, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxycarbonyl group, carbamoyl group,alkylsulfonyl group, arylsulfonyl group or sulfamoyl group, and eachgroup may further have a substituent);

-   [15] the ink composition described in [9] above, wherein the magenta    dye represented by the formula (2) is a magenta dye represented by    the following general formula (4):

(wherein, R₁ and R₂ respectively and independently represent an alkylgroup, alkoxy group or halogen atom, the total number of carbon atomsthat compose the alkyl groups is 3 or more when both R₁ and R₂ are alkylgroups, these groups may be further substituted, R₃, R₄ and R₅respectively and independently represent a hydrogen atom, halogen atom,aliphatic group, aromatic group, heterocyclic group, cyano group,carboxyl group, carbamoyl group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxycarbonylgroup, acyl group, hydroxy group, alkoxy group, aryloxy group, silyloxygroup, acyloxy group, carbamoyloxy group, heterocyclic oxy group,alkoxycarbonyloxy group, aryloxycarbonyloxy group, alkylamino group,arylamino group, heterocyclic amino group, acylamino group, ureidogroup, sulfamoylamino group, alkoxycarbonylamino group,aryloxycarbonylamino group, alkyl or arylsulfonylamino group,aryloxycarbonylamino group, nitro group, alkyl or arylthio group, alkylor arylsulfonyl group, alkyl or arylsulfinyl group, sulfamoyl group,sulfo group or heterocyclic thio group, each group may be furthersubstituted, R₁ and R₅ or R₂ and R₃ may be mutually condensed into aring, R₁₁ and R₁₂ respectively and independently represent an alkylgroup, alkoxy group or halogen atom, the total number of carbon atomsthat compose the alkyl groups is 3 or more when R₁₁ and R₁₂ are bothalkyl groups, these may be further substituted, R₁₃, R₁₄ and R₁₅respectively and independently represent a hydrogen atom, halogen atom,aliphatic group, aromatic group, heterocyclic group, cyano group,carboxyl group, carbamoyl group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxycarbonylgroup, acyl group, hydroxy group, alkoxy group, aryloxy group, silyloxygroup, acyloxy group, carbamoyloxy group, heterocyclic oxy group,alkoxycarbonyloxy group, aryloxycarbonyloxy group, alkylamino group,arylamino group, heterocyclic amino group, acylamino group, ureidogroup, sulfamoylamino group, alkoxycarbonylamino group,aryloxycarbonylamino group, alkyl or arylsulfonylamino group,aryloxycarbonylamino group, nitro group, alkyl or arylthio group, alkylor arylsulfonyl group, alkyl or arylsulfinyl group, sulfamoyl group,sulfo group or heterocyclic thio group, each group may be furthersubstituted, R₁₁ and R₁₅ or R₁₂ and R₁₃ may be mutually condensed into aring, and M represents hydrogen, lithium, sodium, potassium, ammonium oran organic amine);

-   [16] the ink composition described in [9] above, wherein the magenta    dye represented by the formula (2) is a magenta dye represented by    the following formula (5):

-   [17] the ink composition described in [9] above, wherein the content    of the magenta dye is 0.50 to 5.00% by weight based on the total    weight of the ink composition;-   [18] the ink composition described in [9] above, wherein the    betaine-based surfactant represented by the formula (1) is a    compound represented by the following general formula (1-1):

(wherein, R₁ to R₃ represent an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms,and X represents a divalent linking group);

-   [19] the ink composition described in [9] above, wherein the    betaine-based surfactant represented by the general formula (1) is a    compound represented by the following formula (1-2):

-   [20] the ink composition described in [9] above, wherein the ratio    of the content of the linear saturated aliphatic alcohol having a    hydroxyl value of 1 to 2 and 4 to 6 carbon atoms to the content of    the betaine-based surfactant is a weight ratio of 1:5 to 1:0.25;-   [21] the ink composition described in [9] above, wherein the ratio    of the content of the betaine-based surfactant to the content of the    magenta dye is a weight ratio of 1:1.2 to 1:0.2;-   [22] the ink composition described in any one of [1] to [21] above,    wherein the ink composition is used in an ink jet recording method    in which liquid droplets of the ink composition are discharged and    the liquid droplets are adhered to a recording medium for performing    recording;-   [23] the ink composition described in [22] above, wherein the ink    jet recording method is a recording method that uses an ink jet head    that forms ink droplets by mechanical deformation of a piezoelectric    device;-   [24] an ink cartridge filled with the ink composition as described    in any of [1] to [21] above;-   [25] an ink jet recording method comprising the use of the ink    composition as described in any of [1] to [21] above for the ink    composition, and the use of the ink jet cartridge as described in    [24] above; and,-   [26] a recorded article recorded according to the ink jet recording    method described in [25] above.

Since the ink composition of the present invention exhibits littlefoaming and has superior defoaming properties and satisfactory printingstability, it can be preferably used as an ink for existing ink jetprinters.

In addition, since the ink composition of the present invention hassuperior image durability (such as light resistance and moistureresistance), exhibits little foaming, has superior defoaming propertiesand has satisfactory printing stability, it can be preferably used as anink for ink jet printers.

Consequently, the ink composition of the present invention is able toprovide recorded articles of high image quality in a typical ink jetrecording method.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following provides an explanation of preferable embodiments of thepresent invention.

In the ink composition of the present invention, it is important tocontain a betaine-based surfactant represented by the following generalformula (1) and a linear saturated aliphatic alcohol having a hydroxylvalue of 1 to 2 and 4 to 6 carbon atoms.

In the present invention, a linear saturated aliphatic alcohol refers toan alcohol having a linear saturated aliphatic backbone and a hydroxylgroup, and the hydroxyl group may be bonded to any of the carbon atomsthat compose the saturated hydrocarbon backbone.

[C 1](R)_(p)—N-[L-(COOM)_(q)]_(r)  Formula (1)

(In formula (1) above, R represents a hydrogen atom, alkyl group, arylgroup or heterocyclic group. L represents a divalent or more linkinggroup. M represents a hydrogen atom, alkaline metal atom, ammoniumgroup, protonated organic amine or nitrogen-containing heterocyclicgroup or quaternary ammonium ion group, or represents a group that doesnot exist as a cation in the case of being a counter ion of an ammoniumion comprised of an N atom in formula (1). q represents an integer of 1or more, and r represents an integer of 1 to 4. p represents an integerof 0 to 4, and p+r is 3 or 4. N is a nitrogen atom that composes aquaternary amine in the case p+r is 4. R may be the same or differentwhen p is 2 or more. COOM may be the same or different when q is 2 ormore. L-(COOM)_(q) may be the same or different when r is 2 or more.)

[Betaine-Based Surfactant]

The betaine-based surfactant used in the ink composition of the presentembodiment is a betaine-based surfactant represented by the followingformula (1).

[C 1](R)p-N-[L-(COOM)q]r  Formula (1)

In the formula, R represents a hydrogen atom, alkyl group, aryl group orheterocyclic group. L represents a divalent or more linking group. Mrepresents a hydrogen atom, alkaline metal atom, ammonium group,protonated organic amine or nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group orquaternary ammonium ion group, or represents a group that does not existas a cation in the case of being a counter ion of an ammonium ioncomprised of an N atom in formula (1). q represents an integer of 1 ormore, and r represents an integer of 1 to 4. p represents an integer of0 to 4, and p+r is 3 or 4. N is a nitrogen atom that composes aquaternary amine in the case p+r is 4. R may be the same or differentwhen p is 2 or more. COOM may be the same or different when q is 2 ormore. L-(COOM)_(q) may be the same or different when r is 2 or more.

The betaine-based surfactant used in the ink composition of the presentembodiment is preferably a betaine-based surfactant represented by thefollowing formula (1-1) in terms of improving fixation of the inkcomposition to a printed article, light resistance and ozone resistance.One type of compound represented by the following formula (1-1) may beused alone or a plurality of types may be used as a mixture thereof.

In the above formula, R₁ to R₃ represent an alkyl group having 1 to 20carbon atoms, and X represents a divalent linking group.

The betaine-based surfactant used in the ink composition of the presentembodiment is preferably a betaine-based surfactant represented by thefollowing formula (1-2) in terms of improving fixation of the inkcomposition to a printed article.

The content of the betaine-based surfactant used in the ink compositionof the present embodiment is preferably 0.6 to 1.0% by weight based onthe total weight of the ink composition.

[Linear Saturated Aliphatic Alcohol Having a Hydroxyl Value of 1 to 2and 4 to 6 Carbon Atoms]

In the present embodiment, a “linear saturated aliphatic alcohol” refersto an alcohol having a linear saturated aliphatic backbone and ahydroxyl group, and the hydroxyl group may be bonded to any of thecarbon atoms that compose the saturated hydrocarbon backbone.

Examples of the linear saturated aliphatic alcohol having a hydroxylvalue of 1 to 2 and 4 to 6 carbon atoms used in the ink composition ofthe present embodiment include monovalent linear saturated aliphaticalcohols such as 1-butyl alcohol, 2-butyl alcohol, 1-pentyl alcohol,2-pentyl alcohol, 3-pentyl alcohol or 1-hexyl alcohol; or divalentlinear saturated aliphatic alcohols such as 1,2-hexanediol, and thesemay be used alone or two or more types may be used in combination.

Among these, linear saturated aliphatic alcohols having a hydroxyl valueof 1 and 5 to 6 carbon atoms are particularly preferable from theviewpoint of foaming and defoaming properties. Examples of such alcoholsinclude 2-pentyl alcohol, 3-pentyl alcohol and 1-hexyl alcohol, andthese may be used alone or two or more types may be used in combination.

In the case of using, for example, ethyl alcohol or propyl alcoholhaving 3 carbon atoms or less for the linear saturated aliphaticalcohol, the hydrophilicity of the alcohol becomes excessively high,thereby preventing adequate foaming inhibitory and defoaming effectsfrom being obtained. In addition, in the case of using, for example,heptyl alcohol or octyl alcohol having 7 carbon atoms or more, thehydrophilicity of the alcohol is excessively low, thereby making itdifficult to add an amount that allows the obtaining of adequate foaminginhibitory and defoaming effects to the ink composition, and if theamount added is attempted to be increased despite this, the inkcomposition undergoes phase separation over time resulting in poor inkstorageability.

In addition, in the case of using an alcohol having a hydroxyl value of3 or more for the linear saturated aliphatic alcohol, defoamingproperties are inadequate. It is necessary to take into considerationthe hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity attributable to the number ofcarbon atoms and hydroxyl value of the linear saturated aliphaticalcohol in order to demonstrate defoaming and foaming inhibitoryeffects.

If the amount of the linear saturated aliphatic alcohol is excessivelylow, the defoaming effects of the ink composition decrease, while if theamount is excessively high, printing quality and storage stability areimpaired. Consequently, in the present invention, the linear saturatedaliphatic alcohol is preferably contained in the ink composition withinthe range of 0.25 to 3.00% by weight, and more preferably within therange of 0.50 to 3.00% by weight.

As a result of incorporating the betaine-based surfactant and the linearsaturated aliphatic alcohol at a weight ratio of 1:5 to 1:0.25, an inkcomposition can be obtained having satisfactory balance in terms ofhaving superior foaming inhibitory and defoaming effects and superiorprinting stability for the entire ink composition.

If the static surface tension of the ink composition in the presentembodiment is excessively low, a stable discharge volume and projectionform may not be obtained, while if the static surface tension isexcessively high, generated bubbles may be difficult to dissipate. Thus,the static surface tension is preferably within the range of 20 to 40mN/m, and more preferably within the range of 26 to 34 mN/m.Furthermore, static surface tension in the present invention refers tothe value measured using a commercially available Wilhelmi surfacetensiometer according to a method complying with JIS K 3362.

Moreover, since discharge stability decreases if the viscosity of theink composition in the present embodiment at 20° C. is excessively lowor excessively high, it is preferably within the range of 2 to 10 mPa·s,and more preferably within the range of 3.5 to 4.5 mPa·s. Furthermore,this viscosity can be measured with a commercially available viscometerand the like.

[Colorant]

A water-soluble dye or pigment can be used for the colorant in thepresent invention provided it can be used in an ordinary ink jetrecording method.

There are no particular limitations on the type of dye, and acidic dyes,direct dyes, reactive dyes or basic dyes can be used, examples of whichinclude C.I. Acid Yellow 17, 23, 42, 44, 79 or 142, C.I. Acid Red 52,80, 82, 249, 254 or 289, C.I. Acid Blue 9, 45 or 249, C.I. Acid Black 1,2, 24 or 94, C.I. Food Black 1 or 2, C.I. Direct Yellow 1, 12, 24, 33,50, 55, 58, 86, 132, 142, 144 or 173, C.I. Direct Red 1, 4, 9, 80, 81,225 or 227, C.I. Direct Blue 1, 2, 15, 71, 86, 87, 98, 165, 199 or 202,C.I. Direct Black 19, 38, 51, 71, 154, 168, 171 of 195, C.I. ReactiveRed 14, 32, 55, 79 or 249, and C.I. Reactive Black 3, 4 or 35.

A magenta dye represented by the following general formula (2) can alsobe used for the colorant.

In the above formula, A represents a residue of a five-memberheterocyclic diazo component A-NH₂. B¹ and B² respectively represent—CR¹═ or —CR²═ or one represents a nitrogen atom and the otherrepresents —CR¹═ or —CR³═.

R⁵ and R⁶ respectively and independently represent a hydrogen atom,aliphatic group, aromatic group, heterocyclic group, acyl group,alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxycarbonyl group, carbamoyl group,alkylsulfonyl group, arylsulfonyl group or sulfamoyl group. Each groupmay further have a substituent.

G, R¹ and R² respectively and independently represent a hydrogen atom,halogen atom, aliphatic group, aromatic group, heterocyclic group, cyanogroup, carboxyl group, carbamoyl group, alkoxycarbonyl group,aryloxycarbonyl group, acyl group, hydroxy group, alkoxy group, aryloxygroup, silyloxy group, acyloxy group, carbamoyloxy group, heterocyclicoxy group, alkoxycarbonyloxy group, aryloxycarbonyloxy group, aminogroup substituted with an alkyl group, aryl group or heterocyclic group,acylamino group, ureido group, sulfamoylamino group, alkoxycarbonylaminogroup, aryloxycarbonylamino group, alkyl and arylsulfonylamino group,aryloxycarbonylamino group, nitro group, alkyl and arylthio group, alkyland arylsulfonyl group, alkyl and arylsulfinyl group, sulfamoyl group,sulfo group or heterocyclic thio group. Each group may be furthersubstituted.

In addition, R¹ and R⁵ or R¹ and R³ may be bonded to form a five-tosix-member ring.

The magenta dye represented by the general formula (2) is preferably amagenta dye represented by the following general formula (3) from theviewpoint of light resistance and ozone resistance.

In the above formula, R₁₁ and R₁₂ respectively and independently analkyl group, alkoxy group or halogen atom, the total number of carbonatoms that compose the alkyl groups is 3 or more when R₁₁ and R₁₂ areboth alkyl groups, and these groups may be further substituted. R₁₃, R₁₄and R₁₅ respectively and independently represent a hydrogen atom,halogen atom, aliphatic group, aromatic group, heterocyclic group, cyanogroup, carboxyl group, carbamoyl group, alkoxycarbonyl group,aryloxycarbonyl group, acyl group, hydroxy group, alkoxy group, aryloxygroup, silyloxy group, acyloxy group, carbamoyloxy group, heterocyclicoxy group, alkoxycarbonyloxy group, aryloxycarbonyloxy group, alkylaminogroup, arylamino group, heterocyclic amino group, acylamino group,ureido group, sulfamoylamino group, alkoxycarbonylamino group,aryloxycarbonylamino group, alkyl or arylsulfonylamino group,aryloxycarbonylamino group, nitro group, alkyl or arylthio group, alkylor arylsulfonyl group, alkyl or arylsulfinyl group, sulfamoyl group,sulfo group or heterocyclic thio group. Each group may be furthersubstituted. In addition, R₁₁ and R₁₅ or R₁₂ and R₁₃ may be mutuallycondensed into a ring.

X represents a hydrogen atom, aliphatic group, aromatic group orheterocyclic group, and Y and Z respectively and independently representa hydrogen atom, aliphatic group, aromatic group, heterocyclic group,acyl group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxycarbonyl group, carbamoylgroup, alkylsulfonyl group, arylsulfonyl group or sulfamoyl group. Eachgroup may further have a substituent.

In addition, the magenta dye represented by the general formula (2) ismore preferably a magenta dye represented by the following generalformula (4) from the viewpoint of light resistance and ozone resistance.

In the above formula, R₁ and R₂ respectively and independently representan alkyl group, alkoxy group or halogen atom, the total number of carbonatoms that compose the alkyl groups is 3 or more when both R₁ and R₂ arealkyl groups, and these groups may be further substituted. R₃, R₄ and R₅respectively and independently represent a hydrogen atom, halogen atom,aliphatic group, aromatic group, heterocyclic group, cyano group,carboxyl group, carbamoyl group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxycarbonylgroup, acyl group, hydroxy group, alkoxy group, aryloxy group, silyloxygroup, acyloxy group, carbamoyloxy group, heterocyclic oxy group,alkoxycarbonyloxy group, aryloxycarbonyloxy group, alkylamino group,arylamino group, heterocyclic amino group, acylamino group, ureidogroup, sulfamoylamino group, alkoxycarbonylamino group,aryloxycarbonylamino group, alkyl or arylsulfonylamino group,aryloxycarbonylamino group, nitro group, alkyl or arylthio group, alkylor arylsulfonyl group, alkyl or arylsulfinyl group, sulfamoyl group,sulfo group or heterocyclic thio group. Each group may be furthersubstituted. In addition, R₁ and R₅ or R₂ and R₃ may be mutuallycondensed into a ring.

R₁₁ and R₁₂ respectively and independently represent an alkyl group,alkoxy group or halogen atom, the total number of carbon atoms thatcompose the alkyl groups is 3 or more when R₁₁ and R₁₂ are both alkylgroups, and these may be further substituted. R₁₃, R₁₄ and R₁₅respectively and independently represent a hydrogen atom, halogen atom,aliphatic group, aromatic group, heterocyclic group, cyano group,carboxyl group, carbamoyl group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxycarbonylgroup, acyl group, hydroxy group, alkoxy group, aryloxy group, silyloxygroup, acyloxy group, carbamoyloxy group, heterocyclic oxy group,alkoxycarbonyloxy group, aryloxycarbonyloxy group, alkylamino group,arylamino group, heterocyclic amino group, acylamino group, ureidogroup, sulfamoylamino group, alkoxycarbonylamino group,aryloxycarbonylamino group, alkyl or arylsulfonylamino group,aryloxycarbonylamino group, nitro group, alkyl or arylthio group, alkylor arylsulfonyl group, alkyl or arylsulfinyl group, sulfamoyl group,sulfo group or heterocyclic thio group. Each group may be furthersubstituted. In addition, R₁₁ and R₁₅ or R₁₂ and R₁₃ may be mutuallycondensed into a ring. M represents hydrogen, lithium, sodium,potassium, ammonium or an organic amine.

In addition, the magenta dye represented by the general formula (2) ismore preferably a magenta dye represented by the following formula (5)from the viewpoint of light resistance, ozone resistance and solubilityin water.

The content of the magenta dye is preferably 0.50 to 5.00% by weightbased on the total weight of the ink composition from the viewpoint ofobtaining adequate color density and maintaining clogging reliability.

In addition, by incorporating the magenta dye and the betaine-basedsurfactant at a weight ratio of 1:1.2 to 1:0.2, an ink composition canbe obtained having satisfactory balance in terms of having superiorimage durability (such as light resistance and moisture resistance) andadequate clogging recoverability.

[Other Ink Components]

Moreover, in the present embodiment, a nonionic surfactant, anionicsurfactant and cationic surfactant may be contained in addition to thebetaine-based surfactant described above, and a nonionic surfactant isparticularly preferably contained from the viewpoint of obtaining an inkcomposition having suitable static surface tension.

More specific examples of nonionic surfactants include acetyleneglycol-based surfactants, acetylene alcohol-based surfactants,ether-based surfactants such as polyoxyethylene nonyl phenyl ether,polyoxyethylene octyl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene dodecyl phenylether, polyoxyethylene alkyl allyl ether, polyoxyethylene oleyl ether,polyoxyethylene lauryl ether, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether orpolyoxyalkylene alkyl ether, polyoxyethylene oleic acid, ester-basedsurfactants such as polyoxyethylene oleic acid ester, polyoxyethylenedistearic acid ester, sorbitan laurate, sorbitan monostearate, sorbitanmonooleate, sorbitan sesquioleate, polyoxyethylene monooleate orpolyoxyethylene stearate, silicon-based surfactants such asdimethylpolysiloxane, and fluorine-containing surfactants such asfluoroalkylesters and perfluoroalkyl carboxylates.

Furthermore, these nonionic surfactants are preferably contained at 0.1to 5% by weight in the ink composition from the viewpoint of obtainingan ink composition having suitable static surface tension.

In addition, among the above-mentioned nonionic surfactants, acetylenealcohol-based surfactants are particularly preferable since they exhibitlittle foaming and have superior defoaming performance.

Although more specific examples of acetylene alcohol-based surfactantsinclude 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decene-4,7-diol,3,6-dimethyl-4-octene-3,6-diol and 3,5-dimethyl-1-hexene-3-ol, thesesurfactants can be also be acquired in the form of commerciallyavailable products, examples of which include Saffinol 104, 82, 465, 485or TG manufactured by Air Products Japan Inc. and Olfine STG or OlfineE1010 manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.

Moreover, the ink composition of the present embodiment may also containa permeation promoter. There are no particular limitations on thepermeation promoter used in the ink composition of the presentembodiment, and glycol ethers are particularly preferable.

Specific examples of glycol ethers include ethylene glycol monomethylether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether,ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, diethylene glycol monomethylether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycolmono-n-propyl ether, ethylene glycol monoisopropyl ether, diethyleneglycol monoisopropyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, ethyleneglycol mono-tert-butyl ether, diethylene glycol mono-tert-butyl ether,1-methyl-1-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propyleneglycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol mono-tert-butyl ether,propylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether, propylene glycol monoisobutylether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monoethylether, dipropylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether and dipropylene glycolmonoisopropyl ether, and one type of these glycol ethers may be used ortwo or more types may be used as a mixture.

Furthermore, these permeation promoters are preferably added to the inkcomposition in amount within the range of 0.25 to 10% by weight from theviewpoint of securing proper physical property values (such asviscosity) of the ink composition and securing printing quality andreliability.

A pH adjuster, antioxidant, ultraviolet absorber, antiseptic/antimoldagent and the like can be added to the ink composition of the presentembodiment as described above as necessary.

Examples of pH adjusters that can be used include alkaline metalhydroxides such as lithium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or sodiumhydroxide, and amines such as ammonia, triethanolamine,tripropanolamine, diethanolamine or monoethanolamine. In addition,collidine, imidazole, phosphoric acid, 3-(N-morpholino)propanesulfonate, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane or boric acid and the likecan be used as a pH buffer as necessary.

Examples of antioxidants and ultraviolet absorbers used includealohanates such as alohanate or methyl alohanate, biurets such asbiuret, dimethyl biuret or tetramethyl biuret and L-ascorbic acid andsalts thereof, as well as Tinuvin 328, 900, 1130, 384, 292, 123, 144,622, 770 or 292, Irgacor 252 or 153, or Irganox 1010, 1076, 1035 orMD1024 all manufactured by Ciba Geigy Co., Ltd., and lanthanide oxides.

Examples of antiseptics and antimold agents include sodium benzoate,sodium pentachlorophenol, sodium 2-pyridinethiol-1-oxide, sodiumsorbate, sodium dehydroacetate and 1,2-dibenzisothiazolin-3-one (ProxelCRL, Proxel BDN, Proxel GXL, Proxel XL-2 or Proxel TN available fromAvecia Biologics Ltd.).

In addition, the main solvent contained in the ink composition of thepresent embodiment is water. Pure water or ultra-pure water and the likesuch as ion exchange water, ultrafiltration water, reverse osmosis wateror distilled water can be used for this water. The use of water that hasbeen sterilized by ultraviolet irradiation or addition of hydrogenperoxide and the like is particularly preferable in terms of allowingthe ink composition to be stored for a long period of time by preventinggrowth of mold and bacteria.

[Ink Jet Recording Method]

Although the ink composition of the present embodiment can be preferablyused in a writing instrument such as a pen or in a stamp and the like,it can be used more preferably in an ink jet recording method in whichdroplets of the ink composition are discharged and the droplets areadhered to a recording medium. Here, an “ink jet recording method”refers to a method in which an ink composition is discharged from a finenozzle in the form of liquid droplets and the droplets are adhered to arecording medium, specific examples of which are described below.

A first example of an ink jet recording method is an electrostaticattraction method. In this method, a strong electric field is appliedbetween a nozzle and acceleration electrodes placed in front of thenozzle, ink in the form of droplets is sprayed continuously from thenozzle, and a printing information signal is applied to deflectionelectrodes and recorded during the time the ink droplets are projectedbetween the deflection electrodes, or the ink droplets may be sprayedcorresponding to the printing information signal without beingdeflected.

A second example involves applying pressure to the ink droplets with asmall pump and forcibly spraying the ink droplets by mechanicallyoscillating the nozzle with a crystal unit and the like. In this method,the sprayed ink droplets are charged simultaneous to being sprayed, anda printing information signal is applied to deflection electrodes andrecorded during the time the ink droplets are projected between thedeflection electrodes.

A third example is a method that uses a piezoelectric device (piezodevice). In this method, recording is carried out by applying pressureto the ink liquid with a piezoelectric device simultaneous to theapplication of a printing information signal followed by spraying theink droplets.

A fourth example is a method in which ink liquid is made to rapidlyswell in volume due to the action of thermal energy. In this method,recording is carried out by heating and foaming the ink liquid withmicroelectrodes according to a printing information signal followed byspraying the ink droplets.

Any of these methods can be used for the ink jet recording method thatuses the ink of the present embodiment, and the ink can be filled intoeach type of ink jet cartridge.

In addition, examples of a “recording medium” as referred to in thepresent embodiment include, but are not particularly limited to paper(such as Xerox P (trade name: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.), Xerox 4024 (tradename: Xerox Co. (USA)) or Crispia Photographic Paper <High Gloss> (tradename: Seiko Epson Corp.)).

[Recorded Article]

A recorded article of the present embodiment is that on which recordinghas been carried out by the ink jet recording method described aboveusing the previously described ink composition. Since this recordedarticle is obtained by the above-mentioned ink jet recording methodusing the previously described ink composition, it has satisfactoryprinting quality, demonstrates superior printing stability, demonstratesattractive color development and is able to maintain the attractivecolor development over a long period of time.

EXAMPLE A Examples 1 to 26 and Comparative Examples 1 to 24

The ink compositions of Examples 1 to 26 and Comparative Examples 1 to24 were prepared by mixing and dissolving each component at theformulation ratios shown in Tables 1 to 4 followed by subjecting topressure filtration with a PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) filter havinga pore diameter of 1 μm.

Furthermore, each component of the ink compositions shown in Tables 1 to4 is indicated as the percent by weight of each component based on thetotal weight of the ink composition, and the balance of each compositionis comprised of water.

In Tables 1 to 4, [1a] represents C.I. Acid Red 52, [1b] C.I. DirectYellow 132, [2] a betaine-based surfactant represented by formula (1-2),[3] triethylene glycol monobutyl ether, [4] an acetylene glycol-basedsurfactant manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., [5] anantiseptic/antimold agent manufactured by Arch Chemicals, Inc. and [6]disodium dihydrogen ethylenediamine tetraacetate.

TABLE 1 Examples Material 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Compound 1 2.002.00 2.00 2.00 [1a] Compound 2 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.002.00 [1b] Betaine- 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.001.00 1.00 1.00 based surfactant [2] TEGmBE [3] 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.009.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 Glycerin 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.009.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 2-pyrrol- 3.20 3.20 3.203.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 idone Olfine 0.70 0.700.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 E1010 [4] Olfine0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 PD002W[4] Triethanol- 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.400.40 0.40 amine Urea 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.005.00 5.00 5.00 Benzo- 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.010.01 0.01 0.01 triazole Proxel XL-2 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.300.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 [5] EDTA [6] 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.020.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 1-propanol 2-propanol 1-butyl 1.000.25 alcohol 2-butyl 1.00 0.25 alcohol 1-pentyl 1.00 0.25 alcohol2-pentyl 1.00 0.25 alcohol 3-pentyl 1.00 0.25 alcohol 1-hexyl 1.00 0.25alcohol 1-heptanol 2-heptanol 3-heptanol 4-heptanol 1,3- propane- diol1,2-hexane- 3.00 diol 1,2- heptane- diol 1,7- heptane- diol 1,2,4-butane- triol 1,2,6- hexane- triol Water 68.27 69.02 68.27 69.02 68.2769.02 68.27 69.02 68.27 69.02 68.27 69.02 66.27 Total 100.00 100.00100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00100.00

TABLE 2 Examples Material 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26Compound 1 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 [1a] Compound 2 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.600.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 [1b] Betaine- 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.600.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 based surfactant [2] TEGmBE [3] 9.00 9.009.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 Glycerin 13.0013.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.002-pyrrol- 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.503.50 idone Olfine 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.400.40 0.40 E1010 [4] Olfine 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.400.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 PD002W [4] Urea 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.004.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Benzo- 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.010.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 triazole Proxel XL-2 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.300.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 [5] EDTA [6] 0.02 0.02 0.020.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 1-propanol 2-propanol1-butyl 1.00 0.25 alcohol 2-butyl 1.00 0.25 alcohol 1-pentyl 1.00 0.25alcohol 2-pentyl 1.00 0.25 alcohol 3-pentyl 1.00 0.25 alcohol 1-hexyl1.00 0.25 alcohol 1-heptanol 2-heptanol 3-heptanol 4-heptanol 1,3-propane- diol 1,2-hexane- 3.00 diol 1,2- heptane- diol 1,7- heptane-diol 1,2,4- butane- triol 1,2,6- hexane- triol Water 67.17 67.92 67.1767.92 67.17 67.92 67.17 67.92 67.17 67.92 67.17 67.92 65.17 Total 100.00100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00100.00 100.00

TABLE 3 Comparative Examples Material 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12Compound 1 2.00 2.00 2.00 [1a] Compound 2 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.002.00 2.00 2.00 [1b] Betaine- 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.001.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 based surfactant [2] TEGmBE [3] 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.009.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 Glycerin 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.009.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 2-pyrrol- 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.203.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 idone Olfine 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.700.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 E1010 [4] Olfine 0.10 0.10 0.100.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 PD002W [4] Triethanol- 0.400.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 amine Urea 5.005.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 Benzo- 0.01 0.010.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 triazole Proxel XL-20.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 [5] EDTA [6]0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 1-propanol1.00 2-propanol 1.00 1-butyl alcohol 2-butyl alcohol 1-pentyl alcohol2-pentyl alcohol 3-pentyl alcohol 1-hexyl alcohol 1-heptanol 0.102-heptanol 0.10 3-heptanol 0.10 4-heptanol 0.10 1,3- 3.00 propane- diol1,2-hexane- diol 1,2- 3.00 heptane- diol 1,7- 3.00 heptane- diol 1,2,4-3.00 butane- triol 1,2,6- 3.00 hexane- triol Water 69.27 68.27 68.2769.17 69.17 69.17 69.17 66.27 66.27 66.27 66.27 66.27 Total 100.00100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00100.00

TABLE 4 Comparative Examples Material 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 2324 Compound 1 0.60 0.60 0.60 [1a] Compound 2 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.600.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 [1b] Betaine- 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.600.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 based surfactant [2] TEGmBE [3] 9.00 9.00 9.009.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 Glycerin 13.00 13.00 13.0013.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 2-pyrrol- 3.503.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 idone Olfine 0.400.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 E1010 [4] Olfine0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 PD002W [4]Urea 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Benzo-0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 triazoleProxel XL-2 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30[5] EDTA [6] 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.021-propanol 1.00 2-propanol 1.00 1-butyl alcohol 2-butyl alcohol 1-pentylalcohol 2-pentyl alcohol 3-pentyl alcohol 1-hexyl alcohol 1-heptanol0.10 2-heptanol 0.10 3-heptanol 0.10 4-heptanol 0.10 1,3- 3.00 propane-diol 1,2-hexane- diol 1,2- 3.00 heptane- diol 1,7- 3.00 heptane- diol1,2,4- 3.00 butane- triol 1,2,6- 3.00 hexane- triol Water 68.17 67.1767.17 68.07 68.07 68.07 68.07 65.17 65.17 65.17 65.17 65.17 Total 100.00100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00100.00

Bubbling (foaming) and debubbling (defoaming) were evaluated byobserving visually and observing changes in bubble height over time.More specifically, 10 g of the ink formulations of each of the examplesand comparative examples were sealed in a cylindrical glass containerhaving a diameter of 2 cm and height of 10 cm and mixed by shaking 50times followed by evaluating foaming by measuring the height (H) fromthe interface between the bubbles and the liquid to the maximum heightof the bubbles, and evaluating defoaming based on the time until theheight (H) from the interface between the bubbles and the liquid to themaximum height of the bubbles reached 0.5H. (The experiment was carriedout at an atmospheric temperature of 23 to 24° C.)

The results are shown in Tables 5 and 6. Seven types of alcoholsconsisting of 1-butyl alcohol, 2-butyl alcohol, 1-pentyl alcohol,2-pentyl alcohol, 3-pentyl alcohol, 1-hexyl alcohol and 1,2-hexandioldemonstrated improved foaming and defoaming properties.

Among these, the five types of alcohols consisting of 1-pentyl alcohol,2-pentyl alcohol, 3-pentyl alcohol, 1-hexyl alcohol and 1,2-hexanedioldemonstrated greatly improved foaming and defoaming properties inparticular.

TABLE 5 Comparative Examples Composition 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12Foaming [1] 9 9 9 7 7 7 6 8 8 7 7 8 (cm) Defoaming 28 21 19 24 26 27 2320 22 23 22 21 [2] (min.) Compo- Examples sition 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1112 13 Foaming 7 7 7 7 4 6 5 6 5 6 4 5 6 [1] (cm) Defoam- 8 12 8 12 3 5 35 3 5 2 4 4 ing [2] (min.)Experiment Conditions

-   -   10 g of sample ink were sealed in a cylindrical glass container        having a diameter of 2 cm and height of 10 cm and mixed by        shaking manually.    -   The experiment was carried out at a room temperature of 20 to        25° C.

-   [1] Result of measuring the height of bubbles formed immediately    after manual shaking in cm units.

-   [2] Result of measuring amount of time required for the number of    bubbles formed to decrease by half in minute units.

TABLE 6 Comparative Examples Composition 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 2223 24 Foaming [1] 9 8 8 6 6 6 7 7 8 6 7 8 (cm) Defoaming 24 18 18 21 2219 20 20 21 21 22 23 [2] (min.) Compo- Examples sition 14 15 16 17 18 1920 21 22 23 24 25 26 Foaming 5 6 5 6 4 5 4 5 4 5 3 4 5 [1] (cm) Defoam-8 10 8 10 2 4 2 5 2 4 1 2 2 ing [2] (min.)Experiment Conditions

-   -   10 g of sample ink were sealed in a cylindrical glass container        having a diameter of 2 cm and height of 10 cm and mixed by        shaking manually.    -   The experiment was carried out at a room temperature of 20 to        25° C.

-   [1] Result of measuring the height of bubbles formed immediately    after manual shaking in cm units.

-   [2] Result of measuring amount of time required for the number of    bubbles formed to decrease by half in minute units.

As a result of filling the ink compositions described in theabove-mentioned examples into special-purpose cartridges and printingonto a dedicated ink jet recording medium (Crispia Photographic Paper<High Gloss> (Seiko Epson Corp.)) using the PM-A700 Ink Jet Printer(Seiko Epson Corp.), printing was able to be carried out satisfactorily.

EXAMPLE B

[Preparation of Ink Composition]

Each ink composition (Examples 1 to 26 and Comparative Examples 1 to 54)was prepared by mixing and dissolving each component at the formulationratios shown in Tables 7 to 9 followed by subjecting to pressurefiltration with a PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) filter having a porediameter of 1 μm.

Furthermore, each component of the ink compositions shown in Tables 7 to9 is indicated as the percent by weight of each component based on thetotal weight of the ink composition, and the balance of each compositionis comprised of water.

In Tables 7 to 9, [1] represents a magenta dye represented by formula(5), [2] represents a magenta dye represented by the following formula(8), [3] represents a betaine-based surfactant represented by formula(1-2), [4] represents triethylene glycol monobutyl ether, [5] representsan acetylenediol-based surfactant manufactured by Nissin ChemicalIndustry Co., Ltd., [6] represents an antiseptic/anti-mold agentmanufactured by Arch Chemicals, Inc. and [7] represents disodiumdihydrogen ethylenediamine tetraacetate dehydrate.

TABLE 7 Formula (8)

Ink Examples Composition 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Magenta dye 5.005.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 [1] Magentadye 2 [2] Betaine- 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.001.00 1.00 1.00 based surfactant [3] TEGmBE [4] 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.009.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 Glycerin 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.009.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 2-pyrrol- 3.20 3.20 3.203.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 idone Olfine 0.70 0.700.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 E1010 [5] Olfine0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 PD002W[5] Triethanol- 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.400.40 0.40 amine Urea 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.005.00 5.00 5.00 Benzo- 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.010.01 0.01 0.01 triazole Proxel XL-2 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.300.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 [6] EDTA [7] 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.020.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 1-propanol 2-propanol 1-butyl 1.000.25 alcohol 2-butyl 1.00 0.25 alcohol 1-pentyl 1.00 0.25 alcohol2-pentyl 1.00 0.25 alcohol 3-pentyl 1.00 0.25 alcohol 1-hexyl 1.00 0.25alcohol 1-heptanol 2-heptanol 3-heptanol 4-heptanal 1,3- propane- diol1,2-hexane- 3.00 diol 1,2- heptane- diol 1,7- heptane- diol 1,2,4-butane- trial 1,2,6- hexane- triol Water 65.27 66.02 65.27 66.02 65.2766.02 65.27 66.02 65.27 66.02 65.27 66.02 63.27 Total 100.00 100.00100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00100.00 Ink Comparative Examples Composition 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 1213 Magenta dye 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.005.00 5.00 [1] Magenta dye 2 [2] Betaine- 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.001.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 based surfactant [3] TEGmBE [4] 9.00 9.009.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 Glycerin 9.009.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 2-pyrrol-3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 idoneOlfine 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70E1010 [5] Olfine 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.100.10 0.10 PD002W [5] Triethanol- 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.400.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 amine Urea 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.005.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 Benzo- 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.010.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 triazole Proxel XL-2 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.300.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 [6] EDTA [7] 0.02 0.02 0.020.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 1-propanol 1.002-propanol 1.00 1-butyl alcohol 2-butyl alcohol 1-pentyl alcohol2-pentyl alcohol 3-pentyl alcohol 1-hexyl alcohol 1-heptanol 0.102-heptanol 0.10 3-heptanol 0.10 4-heptanol 0.10 1,3- 3.00 propane- dio11,2-hexane- diol 1,2- 3.00 heptane- diol 1,7- 3.00 heptane- diol 1,2,4-3.00 butane- triol 1,2,6- 3.00 hexane- triol Water 66.27 67.27 65.2765.27 66.17 66.17 66.17 66.17 63.27 63.27 63.27 63.27 63.27 Total 100.00100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00100.00 100.00

TABLE 8 Ink Examples Composition 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26Magenta dye 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.500.50 [1] Magenta dye 2 [2] Betaine- 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.600.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 based surfactant [3] TEGmBE [4] 9.00 9.009.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 Glycerin 13.0013.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.002-pyrrol- 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.503.50 idone Olfine 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.400.40 0.40 E1010 [5] Olfine 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.400.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 PD002W [5] Urea 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.004.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Benzo- 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.010.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 triazole Proxel XL-2 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.300.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 [6] EDTA [7] 0.02 0.02 0.020.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 1-propanol 2-propanol1-butyl 1.00 0.25 alcohol 2-butyl 1.00 0.25 alcohol 1-pentyl 1.00 0.25alcohol 2-pentyl 1.00 0.25 alcohol 3-pentyl 1.00 0.25 alcohol 1-hexyl1.00 0.25 alcohol 1-heptanol 2-heptanol 3-heptanol 4-heptanol 1,3-propane- diol 1,2-hexane- 3.00 diol 1,2- heptane- diol 1,7- heptane-diol 1,2,4- butane- triol 1,2,6- hexane- triol Water 67.27 68.02 67.2768.02 67.27 68.02 67.27 68.02 67.27 68.02 67.27 68.02 65.27 Total 100.00100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00100.00 100.00 Ink Comparative Examples Composition 14 15 16 17 18 19 2021 22 23 24 25 26 Magenta dye 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.500.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 [1] Magenta dye 2 [2] Betaine- 0.60 0.60 0.600.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 based surfactant [3] TEGmBE[4] 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00Glycerin 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.0013.00 13.00 13.00 2-pyrrol- 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.503.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 idone Olfine 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.400.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 E1010 [5] Olfine 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.400.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 PD002W [5] Urea 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.004.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Benzo- 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.010.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 triazole Proxel XL-2 0.300.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 [6] EDTA [7]0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.021-propanol 1.00 2-propanol 1.00 1-butyl alcohol 2-butyl alcohol 1-pentylalcohol 2-pentyl alcohol 3-pentyl alcohol 1-hexyl alcohol 1-heptanol0.10 2-heptanol 0.10 3-heptanol 0.10 4-heptanol 0.10 1,3- 3.00 propane-diol 1,2-hexane- diol 1,2- 3.00 heptane- diol 1,7- 3.00 heptane- diol1,2,4- 3.00 butane- triol 1,2,6- 3.00 hexane- triol Water 68.27 68.8767.27 67.27 68.17 68.17 68.17 68.17 65.27 65.27 65.27 68.27 68.27 Total100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00100.00 100.00 100.00

TABLE 9 Comparative Examples Ink Composition 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 3536 Magenta dye [1] Magenta dye 2 [2] 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.005.00 5.00 5.00 Betaine-based surfactant 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.001.00 1.00 1.00 [3] TEGmBE [4] 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.009.00 9.00 Glycerin 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.002-pyrrol-idone 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.20 OlfineE1010 [5] 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 OlfinePD002W [5] 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10Triethanol-amine 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 Urea5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 Benzo-triazole 0.010.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 Proxel XL-2 [6] 0.30 0.300.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 EDTA [7] 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.020.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 1-propanol 2-propanol 1-butyl alcohol 1.001.00 0.25 2-butyl alcohol 1.00 0.25 1-pentyl alcohol 1.00 0.25 2-pentylalcohol 1.00 0.25 3-pentyl alcohol 1.00 1-hexyl alcohol 1-heptanol2-heptanol 3-heptanol 4-heptanol 1,3-propane-diol 1,2-hexane-diol1,2-heptane-diol 1,7-heptane-diol 1,2,4-butane-triol 1,2,6-hexane-triolWater 65.27 66.27 66.02 65.27 66.02 65.27 66.02 65.27 66.02 65.27 Total100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00Comparative Examples Ink Composition 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46Magenta dye [1] Magenta dye 2 [2] 5.00 5.00 5.00 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.500.50 0.50 0.50 Betaine-based surfactant 1.00 1.00 1.00 0.60 0.60 0.600.60 0.60 0.60 [3] TEGmBE [4] 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.009.00 9.00 Glycerin 9.00 9.00 9.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.0013.00 2-pyrrol-idone 3.20 3.20 3.20 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50Olfine E1010 [5] 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40Olfine PD002W [5] 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40Triethanol-amine 0.40 0.40 0.40 Urea 5.00 5.00 5.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.004.00 4.00 4.00 Benzo-triazole 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.010.01 0.01 Proxel XL-2 [6] 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.300.30 EDTA [7] 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.021-propanol 2-propanol 1-butyl alcohol 1.00 1.00 0.25 2-butyl alcohol1.00 0.25 1-pentyl alcohol 1.00 2-pentyl alcohol 3-pentyl alcohol 0.251-hexyl alcohol 1.00 0.25 1-heptanol 2-heptanol 3-heptanol 4-heptanol1,3-propane-diol 1,2-hexane-diol 3.00 1,2-heptane-diol 1,7-heptane-diol1,2,4-butane-triol 1,2,6-hexane-triol Water 66.02 65.27 66.02 65.2767.27 67.87 68.02 67.27 68.02 67.27 Total 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 Comparative Examples InkComposition 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 Magenta dye [1] Magenta dye 2 [2]5.00 5.00 5.00 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 Betaine-based 0.60 0.60 0.600.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 surfactant [3] TEGmBE [4] 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.009.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 Glycerin 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.00 13.0013.00 2-pyrrol-idone 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 OlfineE1010 [5] 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 Olfine PD002W [5] 0.400.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 Triethanol-amine Urea 4.00 4.00 4.004.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Benzo-triazole 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.010.01 0.01 Proxel XL-2 [6] 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 EDTA[7] 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 1-propanol 2-propanol1-butyl alcohol 2-butyl alcohol 1-pentyl alcohol 0.25 2-pentyl alcohol1.00 0.25 3-pentyl alcohol 1.00 0.25 1-hexyl alcohol 1.00 0.251-heptanol 2-heptanol 3-heptanol 4-heptanol 1,3-propane-diol1,2-hexane-diol 3.00 1,2-heptane-diol 1,7-heptane-diol1,2,4-butane-triol 1,2,6-hexane-triol Water 68.02 67.27 68.02 67.2768.02 67.27 68.02 65.27 Total 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00100.00 100.00[Evaluation of Light Resistance]

A printing test was carried out using the PM-A750 (trademark) Ink JetPrinter (Seiko Epson Corp.). The ink compositions of Examples 1 to 26and Comparative Examples 1 to 54 were respectively filled intospecial-purpose magenta ink jet cartridges for use with this printer,and printed onto a dedicated ink jet recording medium (CrispiaPhotographic Paper <High Gloss> (Seiko Epson Corp.)) to obtain recordedarticles. The printing configuration consisted of printing with magentaonly, and the optical density (hereinafter called “OD”) of the resultingimages was adjusted so as to be within a density range of 0.9 to 1.1.The resulting recorded articles were dried for about 1 day at roomtemperature to obtain the desired recorded articles. The lightresistance of the resulting samples was then evaluated.

The light resistance test consisted of irradiating the recorded articleswith light under conditions consisting of a temperature of 24° C.,humidity of 60% RH and luminosity of 70000 lux using the SFT-IIfluorescent light resistance tester (trade name, Suga Test InstrumentsCo., Ltd.). OD values of the recorded articles irradiated in this mannerbefore and after irradiating with light were then measured using theSpectrolino (trademark) reflection densitometer (trade name, GretagLtd.). The relict optical density (hereinafter called “ROD”) was thencalculated from the resulting OD values using the equation below.Furthermore, measurement of OD values was carried out using a green D50light source and absolute white for the white standard at a view angleof 2°.ROD(%)=(Dn/Do)×100

(wherein, Dn indicates the OD value of the image after completion of thelight irradiation test, while Do indicates the OD value of the imagebefore the start of the light irradiation test).

Moreover, the light resistance of each color recorded on the recordedarticles was evaluated using the following evaluation criteria based onthe results of the above test. Those results are shown in Tables 10 to12. Furthermore, in this test, the smaller the decrease in ROD of therecorded article, the lower the deterioration of the image even ifexposed to fluorescent light for an extended period of time.

(Evaluation Criteria)

-   -   Level 1: ROD decreased to 70% in 11 days    -   Level 2: ROD decreased to 70% in more than 11 days up to 21 days    -   Level 3: ROD decreased to 70% in more than 22 days up to 32 days    -   Level 4: ROD decreased to 70% in more than 33 days up to 43 days    -   Level 5: ROD decreased to 70% in more than 44 days up to 54 days    -   Level 6: ROD decreased to 70% in more than 55 days up to 65 days    -   Level 7: ROD decreased to 70% in more than 66 days up to 76 days    -   Level 8: ROD decreased to 70% in more than 77 days        [Evaluation of Moisture Resistance]

A printing test was carried out using the PM-A750 (trademark) Ink JetPrinter (trade name, Seiko Epson Corp.). The ink compositions ofExamples 1 to 26 and Comparative Examples 1 to 54 were respectivelyfilled into a special-purpose magenta ink cartridge for use with thisprinter, and printed onto a dedicated ink jet recording medium (CrispiaPhotographic Paper <High Gloss> (Seiko Epson Corp.)) to obtain recordedarticles. The printing configuration consisted of printing with magentaonly to obtain the maximum OD (optical density). Moisture resistance wasthen evaluated for the resulting samples. After allowing each sample tostand undisturbed for 4 days in environment at 40° C. and 85% RH in theabsence of light, the degree of bleeding of characters and outlinecharacters was evaluated visually. The moisture resistance of eachsample was then evaluated based on the evaluation criteria indicatedbelow. Those results are shown in Tables 10 to 12.

(Evaluation Criteria)

-   -   Level 1: Remarkable bleeding of colorant, illegible characters        and outline characters    -   Level 2: Some bleeding of colorant, increased character width        and outline characters completely filled in    -   Level 3: Some bleeding of colorant, disturbance of character        borders    -   Level 4: Slight bleeding of colorant, some disturbance of        character borders    -   Level 5: Hardly any bleeding of colorant observed    -   Level 6: No bleeding of colorant observed        [Foaming/Defoaming Properties]

Bubbling (foaming) and debubbling (defoaming) were measured by observingvisually and observing changes in bubble height over time. Morespecifically, 10 g of the ink formulations of each of the examples andcomparative examples were sealed in a cylindrical glass container havinga diameter of 2 cm and height of 10 cm and mixed by shaking 50 timesfollowed by measuring the height (H) from the interface between thebubbles and liquid to the maximum height of the bubbles, and using asthe value of “foaming” that indicates the ease of bubbling of the inkcompositions. Continuing, the time (minutes) required for the height (H)from the interface between the bubbles and the liquid to the maximumheight of the bubbles to reach 0.5H was measured, and used as the valueof “defoaming” that indicates the ease of debubbling of the inkcompositions. (The experiment was carried out at an atmospherictemperature of 23 to 24° C.)

The results are shown in Tables 10 to 12. As a result of the test, theink compositions containing the magenta dye represented by formula (1)and the betaine-based surfactant represented by formula (6) ensuredsuperior image durability (light resistance, moisture resistance), andthose ink compositions further containing 1-butyl alcohol, 2-butylalcohol, 1-pentyl alcohol, 2-pentyl alcohol, 3-pentyl alcohol, 1-hexylalcohol and 1,2-hexanediol were determined to improve foaming anddefoaming properties.

In particular, 1-pentyl alcohol, 2-pentyl alcohol, 3-pentyl alcohol,1-hexyl alcohol and 1,2-hexanediol demonstrated the effect ofconsiderably improving the foaming and defoaming properties of the inkcompositions.

TABLE 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Examples Light 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 77 7 7 7 resistance (−) Moisture 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 resistance (−)Foaming 7 7 7 7 4 6 5 6 5 6 4 5 6 (cm) Defoam- 8 12 8 12 3 5 3 5 3 5 2 49 ing (min.) Comparative Examples Light 7 5 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7resistance (−) Moisture 4 1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 resistance (−) Foaming9 9 9 9 7 7 7 6 8 8 7 7 8 (cm) Defoam- 28 27 21 19 24 26 27 23 20 22 2322 21 ing (min.)

TABLE 11 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Examples Light 6 6 6 6 66 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 resistance (−) Moisture 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4resistance (−) Foaming 5 6 5 6 4 5 4 5 4 5 3 4 5 (cm) Defoam- 8 10 8 102 4 2 5 2 4 1 2 8 ing (min.) Comparative Examples Light 6 4 6 6 6 6 6 66 6 6 6 6 resistance (−) Moisture 4 1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 resistance(−) Foaming 9 9 8 8 6 6 6 7 7 8 6 7 8 (cm) Defoam- 24 25 18 18 21 22 1920 20 21 21 22 23 ing (min.)

TABLE 12 Comparative Examples 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39Light 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 resistance (−) Moisture 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 33 3 3 3 3 resistance (−) Foaming 6 2 6 7 7 4 6 5 6 5 5 4 4 (cm)Defoaming 6 1 12 8 11 3 5 4 5 3 5 2 3 (min.) Comparative Examples 40 4142 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 Light 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 22 resistance (−) Moisture 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 resistance (−)Foaming 6 5 3 6 6 6 4 5 4 5 4 4 3 3 5 (cm) Defoaming 8 9 1 10 9 9 2 4 25 2 5 2 2 7 (min.)

The ink composition of the present invention can be used as aparticularly preferable ink for an ink jet printer. In addition, the inkjet recording method of the present invention can be used an ink jetrecording method for recording onto various recording media. Moreover,the recorded article of the present invention can be used as a recordedarticle on which various information is recorded.

1. An ink composition comprising: a betaine-based surfactant representedby the following general formula (1) and a linear saturated aliphaticalcohol having a hydroxyl value of 1 to 2 and 4 to 6 carbon atoms:(R)_(p)—N-[L-(COOM)_(q)]_(r)   Formula (1) wherein, R represents ahydrogen atom, alkyl group, aryl group or heterocyclic Group; Lrepresents a divalent or more linking group; M represents a hydrogenatom, alkali metal atom, ammonium group, protonated organic amine ornitrogen-containing heterocyclic group or quaternary ammonium ion group,or represents a group that does not exist as a cation in the case ofbeing a counter ion of an ammonium ion formed of an N atom in formula(1); q represents an integer of 1 or more; r represents an integer of 1to 4; p represents an integer of 0 to 4; p+r is 3 or 4; N is a nitrogenatom that composes a quaternary amine in the case p+r is 4; R may be thesame or different when p is 2 or more; COOM may be the same or differentwhen q is 2 or more; and L-(COOM)_(q) may be the same or different whenr is 2 or more.
 2. The ink composition according to claim 1, wherein thebetaine-based surfactant represented by formula (1) is a compoundrepresented by the following formula (1-1):

wherein, R₁ R₃ represent an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, andX represents a divalent linking group.
 3. The ink composition accordingto claim 1, wherein the betaine-based surfactant represented by formula(1) is a compound represented by the following formula (1-2):


4. The ink composition according to claim 1, wherein the content of thelinear saturated aliphatic alcohol having a hydroxyl value of 1 to 2 and4 to 6 carbon atoms is 0.25 to 5.00% by weight.
 5. The ink compositionaccording to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the content of the linearsaturated aliphatic alcohol having a hydroxyl value of 1 to 2 and 4 to 6carbon atoms to the content of the betaine-based surfactant is a weightratio of 1:3 to 1:0.4.
 6. The ink composition according to claim 1,wherein the linear saturated aliphatic alcohol is one or more compoundselected from the group consisting of 1-butyl alcohol, 2-butyl alcohol,1-pentyl alcohol, 2-pentyl alcohol, 3-pentyl alcohol, 1-hexyl alcoholand 1,2-hexanediol.
 7. The ink composition according to claim 1, whereinthe linear saturated aliphatic alcohol has 5 or 6 carbon atoms.
 8. Theink composition according to claim 7, wherein the linear saturatedaliphatic alcohol is at least one type selected from the groupconsisting of 1-pentyl alcohol, 2-pentyl alcohol, 3-pentyl alcohol,1-hexyl alcohol and 1,2-hexanediol.
 9. An ink composition comprising amagenta dye represented by the following general formula (2); abetaine-based surfactant represented by the following general formula(1); and a linear saturated aliphatic alcohol having a hydroxyl value of1 to 2 and 4 to 6 carbon atoms:

wherein, A represents a residue of a five-member heterocyclic diazocomponent A-NH₂; B¹ and B² each represent —CR¹═ or —CR²═ or onerepresents a nitrogen atom and the other represents —CR¹═ or —CR³═; R⁵and R⁶ each independently represent a hydrogen atom, aliphatic group,aromatic group, heterocyclic group, acyl group, alkoxycarbonyl group,aryloxycarbonyl group, carbamoyl group, alkylsulfonyl group,arylsulfonyl group or sulfamoyl group, each group may further have asubstituent; G, R¹ and R² each independently represent a hydrogen atom,halogen atom, aliphatic group, aromatic group, heterocyclic group, cyanogroup, carboxyl group, carbamoyl group, alkoxycarbonyl group,aryloxycarbonyl group, acyl group, hydroxy group, alkoxy group, aryloxygroup, silyloxy group, acyloxy group, carbamoyloxy group, heterocyclicoxy group, alkoxycarbonyloxy group, aryloxycarbonyloxy group, aminogroup substituted with an alkyl group, aryl group or heterocyclic group,acylamino group, ureido group, sulfamoylamino group, alkoxycarbonylaminogroup, aryloxycarbonylamino group, alkyl and arylsulfonylamino group,aryloxycarbonylamino group, nitro group, alkyl and arylthio group, alkyland arylsulfonyl group, alkyl and arylsulfinyl group, sulfamoyl group,sulfo group or heterocyclic thio group, each group may be furthersubstituted, and R¹ and R⁵ or R¹ and R³ may be bonded to form a five- tosix-member ring;(R)_(p)—N-[(COOM)_(q)]_(r)  Formula (1) wherein, R represents a hydrogenatom, alkyl group, aryl group or heterocyclic group; L represents adivalent or more linking group; M represents a hydrogen atom, alkalimetal atom, ammonium group, protonated organic amino ornitrogen-containing heterocyclic group or quaternary ammonium ion group,or represents a group that does not exist as a cation in the case ofbeing a counter ion of an ammonium ion formed of an N atom in formula (1); q represents an integer of 1 or more; r represents an integer of 1 to4; p represents an integer of 0 to 4; p+r is 3 or 4; N is a nitrogenatom that composes a quaternary amine in the case p =r is 4; R may bethe same or different when p is 2 or more; COOM may be the same ordifferent when q is 2 or more, and L-(COOM)_(q) may be the same ordifferent when r is 2 or more).
 10. The ink composition according toclaim 9, wherein the linear saturated aliphatic alcohol is one or morecompounds selected from the group consisting of 1-butyl alcohol, 2-butylalcohol, 2-pentyl alcohol, 3-pentyl alcohol, 1-hexyl alcohol and1,2-hexanediol.
 11. The ink composition according to claim 9, whereinthe linear saturated aliphatic alcohol has 5 or 6 carbon atoms.
 12. Theink composition according to claim 9, wherein the linear saturatedaliphatic alcohol is one or more compounds selected from the groupconsisting of 2-pentyl alcohol, 3-pentyl alcohol and 1-hexyl alcohol.13. The ink composition according to claim 9, wherein the content of thelinear saturated aliphatic alcohol having a hydroxyl value of 1 to 2 and4 to 6 carbon atoms is 0.25 to 3.00% by weight.
 14. The ink compositionaccording to claim 9, wherein the magenta dye represented by the formula(2) is a magenta dye represented by the following general formula (3):

wherein, R₁₁ and R₁₂ each independently represent an alkyl group, alkoxygroup or halogen atom, the total number of carbon atoms that compose thealkyl groups is 3 or more when R₁₁ and R₁₂ are both alkyl groups, thesegroups may be further substituted; R₁₃, R₁₄ and R₁₅ each independentlyrepresent a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, aliphatic group, aromaticgroup, heterocyclic group, cyano group, carboxyl group, carbamoyl group,alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxycarbonyl group, acyl group, hydroxy group,alkoxy group, aryloxy group, silyloxy group, acyloxy group, carbamoyloxygroup, heterocyclic oxy group, alkoxycarbonyloxy group,aryloxycarbonyloxy group, alkylamino group, arylamino group,heterocyclic amino group, acylamino group, ureido group, sulfamoylaminogroup, alkoxycarbonylamino group, aryloxycarbonylamino group, alkyl orarylsulfonylamino group, aryloxycarbonylamino group, nitro group, alkylor arylthio group, alkyl or arylsulfonyl group, alkyl or arylsulfinylgroup, sulfamoyl group, sulfo group or heterocyclic thio group, eachgroup may be further substituted; R₁₁ and R₁₅ or R₁₂ and R₁₃ may bemutually condensed into a ring, X represents a hydrogen atom, aliphaticgroup, aromatic group or heterocyclic group; Y and Z each independentlyrepresent a hydrogen atom, aliphatic group, aromatic group, heterocyclicgroup, acyl group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxycarbonyl group,carbamoyl group, alkylsulfonyl group, arylsulfonyl group or sulfamoylgroup, and each group may further have a substituent.
 15. The inkcomposition according to claim 9, wherein the magenta dye represented bythe formula (2) is a magenta dye represented by the following generalformula (4):

wherein, R₁ and R₂ each independently represent an alkyl group, alkoxygroup or halogen atom, the total number of carbon atoms that compose thealkyl groups is 3 or more when both R₁ and R₂ are alkyl groups, thesegroups may be further substituted; R₃, R₄ and R₅ each independentlyrepresent a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, aliphatic group, aromaticgroup, heterocyclic group, cyano group, carboxyl group, carbamoyl group,alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxycarbonyl group, acyl group, hydroxy group,alkoxy group, aryloxy group, silyloxy group, acyloxy group, carbamoyloxygroup, heterocyclic oxy group, alkoxycarbonyloxy group,aryloxycarbonyloxy group, alkylamino group, arylamino group,heterocyclic amino group, acylamino group, ureido group, sulfamoylaminogroup, alkoxycarbonylamino group, aryloxycarbonylamino group, alkyl orarylsulfonylamino group, aryloxycarbonylamino group, nitro group, alkylor arylthio group, alkyl or arylsulfonyl group, alkyl or arylsulfinylgroup, sulfamoyl group, sulfo group or heterocyclic thio group, eachgroup may be further substituted; R₁ and R₅ or R₂ and R₃ may be mutuallycondensed into a ring; R₁₁ and R₁₂ each independently represent an alkylgroup, alkoxy group or halogen atom, the total number of carbon atomsthat compose the alkyl groups is 3 or more when R₁₁ and R₁₂ are bothalkyl groups, these may be further substituted; R₁₃, R₁₄ and R₁₅ eachindependently represent a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, aliphatic group,aromatic group, heterocyclic group, cyano group, carboxyl group,carbamoyl group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxycarbonyl group, acylgroup, hydroxy group, alkoxy group, aryloxy group, silyloxy group,acyloxy group, carbamoyloxy group, heterocyclic oxy group,alkoxycarbonyloxy group, aryloxycarbonyloxy group, alkylamino group,arylamino group, heterocyclic amino group, acylamino group, ureidogroup, sulfamoylamino group, alkoxycarbonylamino group,aryloxycarbonylamino group, alkyl or arylsulfonylamino group,aryloxycarbonylamino group, nitro group, alkyl or arylthio group, alkylor arylsulfonyl group, alkyl or arylsulfinyl group, sulfamoyl group,sulfo group or heterocyclic thio group, each group may be furthersubstituted; R₁₁ and R₁₅ or R₁₂ and R₁₃ may be mutually condensed into aring, and M represents hydrogen, lithium, sodium, potassium, ammonium oran organic amine.
 16. The ink composition according to claim 9, whereinthe magenta dye represented by the formula (2) is a magenta dyerepresented by the following formula (5):


17. The ink composition according to claim 9, wherein the content of themagenta dye is 0.50 to 5.00% by weight based on the total weight of theink composition.
 18. The ink composition according to claim 9, whereinthe betaine-based surfactant represented by the formula (1) is acompound represented by the following general formula (1-1):

wherein, R₁ to R₃ represent an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms,and X represents a divalent linking group.
 19. The ink compositionaccording to claim 9, wherein the betaine-based surfactant representedby the general formula (1) is a compound represented by the followingformula (1-2):


20. The ink composition according to claim 9, wherein the ratio of thecontent of the linear saturated aliphatic alcohol having a hydroxylvalue of 1 to 2 and 4 to 6 carbon atoms to the content of thebetaine-based surfactant is a weight ratio of 1:5 to 1:0.25.
 21. The inkcomposition according to claim 9, wherein the ratio of the content ofthe betaine-based surfactant to the content of the magenta dye is aweight ratio of 1:1.2 to 1:0.2.
 22. The An ink jet recording methodcomprising providing the ink composition according to claim 9, whereinliquid droplets of the ink composition are discharged and the liquiddroplets are adhered to a recording medium for performing recording. 23.The ink jet recording method according to claim 22, wherein an ink jethead forms the ink droplets by mechanical deformation of a piezoelectricdevice.
 24. An ink cartridge filled with the ink composition accordingto claim
 1. 25. An ink jet recording method comprising depositing theink composition according to claim 1 onto a recording medium.
 26. Arecorded article recorded according to the ink jet recording methodaccording to claim 25.